In 2025, South Africa’s livestock sector exhibited a complex blend of resilience and constraint,
shaped by weather recovery, market dynamics, disease threats, and shifting producer
strategies. While prices in many categories strengthened and demand remained robust, the
overall number of animals marketed – especially in formal channels – fell and structural
issues persisted. By examining livestock auctions, price movements, marketing volumes, and
economic pressures throughout the year, a balanced picture emerges of a sector navigating
recovery after difficult seasons.